Animal Rescue provides shelter and medical care for cats and dogs. In the past year, 20% of adopted dogs have been returned to the shelter. 80% of owners who returned adopted dogs were first-time dog owners. More than half stated on surveys that the dog’s behavior didn’t meet their expectations and contributed to their decision to rehome their new pet. 

The problem is that potential first-time dog adopters don’t know what to expect or how to properly care for a dog and many dogs are being returned to the shelter causing crowding and unexpected expenses. With increased knowledge of caring for a dog, there will be fewer returned pets which will lower costs for the rescue shelter. 

Design and develop a learning solution that can be delivered in person at the Animal Shelter or online in a virtual meeting or webinar. The course will provide participants with basic knowledge of what to expect when adopting a dog, basic care, and training for the most common behavioral challenges.

Using Trello for project management, I followed the ADDIE Model. During the ANALYSIS phase, I created a Training Needs Analysis to clearly define the problem and outline a proposed learning solution. Next, I defined the target audience by creating learner personas. I used an instructional design doc to collaborate with SMEs. This led me into the the DESIGN phase, where I crafted learning objectives, outlined must-have course content, and wrote a rough script. I DEVELOPED the script into a powerpoint presentation for an instructor led training (ILT) or virtual instructor led training (VILT). To accompany the lessons when IMPLEMENTED, I designed a facilitator guide and participant workbook. Once the course has been implemented it will be EVALUATED as participants complete a course survey to provide feedback for course improvements. 

Ideally, this course could be taught in person with dogs for participants to have hands-on practice.

If I could redo this course, I would add more elements of story to draw the learner in. One of the learner personas I created would be the main character of the story who adopted a dog and is now struggling. The participants of the training would be presented with scenarios and they would work together to give the character the best advice.

This would not only engage the learners on a deeper level, but they would also be practicing brainstorming how to resolve behavior problems with a dog, which will prepare them to seek help when they encounter problems on their own.